Page 23 of The Blood Moon Oath

We’ve been careful so far, keeping her hidden away in Kael’s private quarters or the training ring, both areas only accessible to the three of us. Contained. Controlled. But outhere? This is different. This is the public heart of the keep, where warlocks of all ranks gather, where eyes are everywhere, and whispers travel fast.

Her presence alone is a risk—her energy, her power, that maddening pull she exudes. It’s already affecting us, driving Torin half-mad and leaving even Kael teetering on the edge of his usual calm. I can only imagine what it might do to others. The same intoxicating force that’s got my blood simmering and my cock stirring could create chaos here.

And then there’s the law. Humans are forbidden in our realm, period. No exceptions, no mercy. The very sight of her could spark questions, anger, and worse—opportunism. Warlocks are predators, after all, and any one of them would see her as a challenge or a prize.

My mind races, calculating the fallout. If anyone suspects what she is—or isn’t—it could unravel everything we’ve built. The delicate balance of power Kael, Torin, and I have maintained, the respect we command, all of it could crumble.

I reach out with my power, trying to wrap a shield around her to mask her energy signature, but I’m too far behind. Kael must sense my intent because the moment her path takes her into the hall, I feel his magic sweep in, a sharp, precise force that blankets her presence.

But it’s not enough.

She’s already stopped, her steps faltering as she comes face to face with Rothgar and his lackeys. Their laughter dies, replaced by a low murmur of intrigue. Even without sensing her full power, they can see she’s human. And that alone is enough to spell disaster.

Rothgar is tall and broad, his thick braids tied back from a face marred by a jagged scar that runs from his temple to his jawline. His sharp, dark eyes gleam with malice, and his lipstwist into a predatory smile. His black tunic is embellished with silver threading, a gaudy display of his status.

“Well, well,” he drawls, his voice a low rumble that echoes through the hall. “What do we have here?”

Kael is there in an instant, placing himself between Sable and Rothgar. His calm facade is back, but I know him too well. He’s furious.

“Rothgar,” Kael says, his voice low and even. “This is none of your concern.”

Rothgar’s smile widens, cruel and triumphant, as though he’s just unearthed some grand scandal. “Oh, but I think it is. A human woman in our realm? That’s forbidden, isn’t it?” His voice carries, sharp and cutting, designed to provoke, and I can already hear the murmurs rising from the group of warlocks behind him.

“She doesn’t belong here,” one of them hisses, barely loud enough to carry, but the tone is clear. Others nod in agreement, their eyes darting between Sable and Kael.

Rothgar steps forward, his towering form casting a shadow over Sable, but his eyes are locked on Kael, not her. “What’s next, Alpha? Letting humans waltz through the barrier whenever they please? Or perhaps there’s something special about this one?” His gaze flicks to Sable for the briefest moment, dripping with disdain, before returning to Kael. “Have you gone soft?”

I tense, my eyes narrowing on Rothgar. Does he suspect something? Did he sense her power before Kael put the shield up? The thought sends a ripple of unease through me. Rothgar’s a fool in many ways, but he’s not blind to opportunity. If he caught even a hint of her abilities, he’d exploit it without hesitation—and not just to undermine Kael’s leadership, but to further his own ambitions.

The air in the hall thickens. Kael’s calm facade remainsunbroken, his expression unreadable, but I can feel the storm brewing beneath it. His power shifts subtly, like a predator preparing to strike. To anyone else, he might look unbothered, but I’ve known Kael long enough to see the warning signs.

“Mind your tongue, Rothgar,” Kael says evenly, his voice calm but cold. “You’re stepping dangerously close to insubordination.”

Rothgar’s laugh is sharp and mocking. “Is it insubordination to question leadership that allows such blatant disregard for our laws? A human woman in the heart of our keep? Tell me, Alpha, how does that reflect on your so-called rule?”

Behind him, his lackeys nod and murmur their agreement, emboldened by his bravado. The tension in the room spikes, and I see Torin stiffen, his hand twitching toward the hilt of his blade, one Sable didn't steal.

Rothgar continues, his voice rising, drawing the attention of anyone nearby. “Perhaps your brothers have lost their edge, too. Letting you bring this—” he gestures dismissively at Sable, his lip curling, “—this weakness into our midst.”

Kael doesn’t flinch, doesn’t move, but the temperature in the room seems to drop. His power ripples through the air, subtle but undeniable, like the calm before a thunderstorm. I see the veins in his neck tense, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. To anyone else, he might still seem composed, but I know better. Kael is furious, and Rothgar is skating on thin ice.

Sable stands tall, refusing to let her fear show, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.

Rothgar steps closer, his gaze sweeping over her. “If she’s human, then the code is clear. Her soul belongs to her captor. And after that? She dies.”

Torin snarls, stepping forward. “Touch her, Rothgar, and I’ll tear you apart.”

Rothgar’s brows lift, clearly intrigued. “Over a human woman?” he sneers. “How...interesting.”

I grimace, watching the way Rothgar studies us, his mind already working to twist this to his advantage.

Sable takes a step forward, and I stiffen, knowing she’s about to say something reckless.

“I have the right to fight for my life,” she says, her voice steady and defiant. “I challenge you in the Trials.”

I internally groan, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. Of course, she’d throw that back at us. It’s just like her to twist every scrap of information we give her into something bold—and reckless. If this is how she’s going to use what little she knows, we’ll have to be a hell of a lot more careful about what we share with her going forward.

Does she even realize the kind of storm she’s just unleashed? Or does she not care? Either way, I can already see the firelight glinting in Rothgar’s eyes, his smirk curling like a predator catching the scent of blood. The tension in the air thickens, and I find myself almost impressed by her nerve—if it wasn’t about to get her killed.

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